Wednesday, February 11, 2015

HealthyStuff,
in collaboration with the Campaign for Healthier Solutions, released a
report today about toxic chemicals found in Dollar store products.
The report -- A Day Late and a Dollar Short: Discount Retailers are
Falling Behind on Safer Chemicals -- includes testing results for 164
dollar store products such as toys, jewelry, school supplies and other
household items, that found over 81% (133 of 164) contained at least
one hazardous chemical above levels of concern.

The campaign also sent a letter to the CEO's of the four largest
Dollar store chains -- including Family Dollar (tentatively acquired
by Dollar Tree on January 22), Dollar Tree, Dollar General, and
99 Cents Only urging them to stop the sale of products with
hazardous chemicals to communities of color and low-income
families, who already live in more polluted areas and "food
deserts," and adopt policies that will protect both customers and
their businesses. Combined these discount chains have sales
totaling over $36 billion and operate more stores nationally than
Walmart.

"People struggling to make ends meet are
confined to shopping at the Dollar stores," said Jose T. Bravo,
National Coordinator for the Campaign for Healthier Solutions. "We are
already disproportionately affected by pollution and lack of
adequate medical care, and now we know we're filling our homes and
our bodies with chemicals released from Dollar store products. This
needs to stop. "

"We've tested 1,000's of products from dozens
of retailers over the last ten years, said Jeff Gearhart,
HealthyStuff Research Director. "And on average the dollar store
products are some of the poorest peforming from a chemical hazard
perspective. I am particularly concerned about the comparatively
high percentage of products containing hazardous plasticizers. "

The chemicals of concern found in Dollar store products tested for this report include: phthalates,
linked to birth defects, reduced fertility, cancer, learning
disabilities, diabetes, and other health issues; polyvinyl chloride
plastic (PVC
or vinyl), which creates hazards throughout its life cycle and has
been linked to asthma and lung effects; and toxic metals such as
lead, which harms brain development, leading to learning
disabilities, lower IQ, and cause other serious health impacts,
especially in children.

Other key findings from the report include:

49% of products tested (80 of 164) contained two or more hazardous chemicals above levels of concern;

In addition, 40% of sales at Dollar stores go
toward food products (not tested for this report) -- much of which
is highly processed with low nutritional quality, and whose
packaging is another potential source of toxic chemicals including bisphenol-A
(BPA), a synthetic hormone linked to breast and others cancers,
reproductive problems, obesity, early puberty and heart disease.
Fortunately, there is a growing movement by
mainstream retail and manufacturing brands -- including Target and
Walmart -- to respond to consumer demand for safer products with
publicly-available corporate policies that identify, disclose, and
replace priority toxic chemicals with safer alternatives. By
failing to address toxic chemicals through comprehensive policies,
Dollar chains are not only putting their customers at risk, they
are exposing their businesses to the fate of companies like
Mattel, which lost 18% of its value after recalling toys with lead
paint, and Sigg USA, which went bankrupt after failing to
disclose toxic BPA in its water bottles.
The Campaign for Healthier Solutions is asking for a comprehensive set of reforms, including that:

Discount Retailers immediately remove
children's products found to contain regulated phthalates and lead
from store shelves; and adopt comprehensive corporate chemical
management policies to identify, disclose, and remove hazardous
chemicals from their supply chains and from all products in their
stores, beginning with their house brands.

Local, State, and Federal Governments ensure
that discount retailers comply with all relevant laws and
regulations; and adopt public policies (such as Maine's Kid-Safe
Products Law and Washington's Children's Safe Products Act) that
require manufacturers and retailers to disclose hazardous
chemicals in products, research alternatives, and remove hazardous
chemicals when alternatives are available, effective, and safer.

Families and Communities let Dollar store
chains know that they want safer products, and join local and national
efforts advocating for nontoxic products.

Complete test results are available at
HealthyStuff.org. The full report and more information about the
Campaign are available at www.nontoxicdollarstores.org

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